James p



(No Model.)

J. P. FREEMAN. ARRESTER FOR ELECTRIC CURRENTS.

Patented'Aug. 9, 1887.

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To all whom, it may concern:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES P. FREEMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SAMUEL M. BRYAN, OFWVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ARRESTER FOR ELECTRIC CURRENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 367,901, dated August9, 1887.

Application filed January 6, 1857. Serial No. 223,589. (No model.)

of the telephone-wire; but should this condition be disturbed by anexcessive current upon the main line 3 10, the bobbin becomes magnetizedand the pivoted armature 6 is attracted toward the edge ofthe head 2,breaking the circuit through the bracket 9, but making another circuitby contact with the block 7, through said block and conductor 8, to theground.

The device thus constructed is wholly automatic in its action, and itresults in an instant ground connection upon the main line being undulycharged, and an immediate breaking of the ground connection as soon asthe main line is relieved of its excessive current, while when the partsare in their normal condition there is no undue resistance upon the mainline. Vhere there is danger of the main line 310 being brought incontact with the conductors of electric-lighting systems,it is desirableto prevent the passage of a current from said conductors through theelcctro-magnet A in case ol'such contact. For this purpose I modify thecontacts with the movable armature, so as to short-circuit said currentand prevent such a constant flow.

The modified construction for this purpose is illustrated in Fig. 2, inwhich the bracket 13, of conducting material, connected to, butinsulated from, the bracket 9, carries set-screw 15, making contact withan arm, 16, constituting a prolongation of the armature 6 on theopposite side of the pivot. In this case the main-line wire 3 iselectrically connected with the bracket 13 and with one end of thespool- Be it known that I, J AMES 1 FREEMAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a'resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Arrestersfor Electric Currents, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of electriceurrent-arresting devicesintended to relieve the main line of the effects of being suddenlyovercharged with a heavy current, and to prcvent the injurious resultsof conducting such currents along a line not adapted to carry them; andmy invention consists in a device constructed and arranged substantiallyas set forth hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective viewillustrating my improved device for arresting electric currents. Fig. 2is a perspective view illustrating a 1nodification. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal cross section of the same.

An eleclromagnet, A, consists of a bobbin. of magnetic material, havingheads 2 4, around which bobbin is coiled an insulated wire connected atone end to the section 3 of the main line and at the opposite end to thehead 4, in electrical contact with a bracket, 5, preferably forming apart of said head, within which is pivoted an arm, 6, constituting amovable armature. The head 20f the bobbin carries an insulated block, 7,which extends below said head and is connected by a conductor, 8,withthe ground, and extending in front of said head 2,and insulatedtherefrom, is a bracket,9,with which is connected the othersection,10,of the main or telephone line, and which has an arm extendingbeneath the free end of the arm 6, and provided with a set-screw, 12,upon which the arm 6 rests when at the limit of its lowest motion. Aninsulated and perforated bracket, 13, is connected with the head 4 ofthe bobbin, and'serves as a means of seeu ring the'lightni ugarrester toany suitable support, with the pivoted armature (S in a horizontalposition below the bobbin. So long as the line is in its nor malcondition there is a continuous electrical circuit from the section 3,the bobbin-wire metallic head 4, bracket 5, armature 6, setscrew 12, andbracket 9 to the other section,10,

connected with the metallic head and bracket 5, the other connectionsbeing the same as in the first instance. \Vhen the resisting device,constructed as shown in Fig. 2, is in its normal condition, the circuitis through the line-wire 3, electro-niagnet, armature 6, set-screw12,and line-wire 10; but when the bobbin is magnetized and the armatureis drawn against the block 7 and set-screw 15, breaking contact withset-screw 12, the main-line current, instead of going to ground throughthe armature 6, block 7, and conductor 8, is short-circuited through thebracket 13, set-screw 15, and armature 6 to the block 7, so that thebobbin and coil are practically cut out of the line during the time wireat 00, the opposite end of said wire being of the passage of theexcessive current, howover long the same may last.

By making the bobbin magneticand including it in the linecircuit Iproduce a verysimple, cheap, and collective arrangement that is delicatein operation and not liable to get out oforder. 'llhebobbinbeingn'lagnetic, there is no necessity of a separate core, and the wire ofthe coil being wound immediately upon the bobbin the full magneticeffect of the currents passing through the coil is obtained, so that thedevice is operative under comparatively slight changes in the current,and by connecting the armature directly to the n'iagnetic bobbin theconstruction is simplified and the device mad e com pact.

The arrangementofthe above-described parts may be varied according tocircumstances, the term of the electro-magnet being altered and thecontacts differently arranged, without dcparting from the main featureoi'myinvention, whereby the eleetn'o-magnet is magnetized by the extracurrent to attract a movable armature, and thereby automatically changetheline of conduction.

The above-desc'ribed device is adapted for use upon any lines liable tobe overcharged, but is especially applicable in connection withtelephone-lines and with systems in which underground cables areemployed and in lines which are liable to contact with heavilyehargedelectrie-lighting conductors.

\Vithout limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement ofparts shown, I claim 1. The combination of the electro-magnet A, havingits coil and its metallic bobbin connected with one section of the mainline, an armature pivoted below the cleetro-magnet and connected withthe spool. at its pivoted end, an insulated block, 7, connected with theground and secured to the magnet in a position above the free end olthearmature, and an insulated bracket connected with the other section ofthe main line and provided with a set-screw below the free end ot thearmature, all substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of an electro-magnet having its coil connected withthe bobbin and with one section of the main line, and a movable armaturcnormallyin connection with the other section of the main line, aninsulated block in connection with the ground, and an insulatedcontact-piece in constant electrical connection with the first sectionof the main line and arranged in position to make contact with themovable armature when the latter makes contact with the said block,substantially as set forth.

2;. The combination of the electromagnet. main-line conductor 3,connected with the coil of the magnet and with the ln'acket l3, supporting a set-screw, 15, a pivoted armature extending over the set-screw15, an insulatml bracket supporting a setscrew, l2, and connected withthe other section of the main line, and an insulated block, 7, connectedwith the ground and arranged above the free end olthe armature,substantially as set l'orth.

t. An electric cut-out composed of a magnetic bobbin and a coil thereon,a conductinglever normally in the circuit connected to one head of thebobbin and an insulated ground connection upon the other head, and abracket attached to said head and included in the mainline circuit,withwhich bracket the lever non malty contacts, substantially as described.

In testimony whereot'l: have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

\TAM'TGS it". lTlll' llEM/XN.

Witnesses:

(Inmates Il. Lovu'r'r, II 111 N u .\f Woo n.

